Perfectly camouflaged on the seafloor, the California halibut is both a fierce predator and an economically important commercially and recreationally fished species.

Landings

A figure showing the pounds of California halibut landed by gear type in the commercial fleet from 2005 - 2014. Data source: CDFW; Figure credit: NOAA.

A figure showing the pounds of California halibut landed by gear type in the commercial fleet from 2005 - 2014. Data source: CDFW; Figure credit: NOAA.

Click for Details Landings of California halibut (Paralichthys californicus) in blocks around Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary by hook/line (blue), gillnet (green), and trawl (teal) fishing gear. Landings data from the Santa Barbara port complex (Santa Barbara, Ventura, Oxnard, and Port Hueneme) and reflect take from the Fish and Game blocks 683–691, 706-714, 744, 745, 764, and 765 (see Figure App.C4.3 for map of blocks). For more information, consult Figure App.C.4.5a in the CINMS 2016 Condition Report.